State agents bust illegal Anacortes crabbing operation
July 24, 2008 - 05:25 PM
by Staff Report
by Staff Report
Washington State Fish and Wildlife agents Sgt. Brad Rhoden (left) and Officer Bret Hopkins carry shrimp and crab into evidence Thursday afternoon at their La Conner facility. The crab pots and boat in the background were seized in Anacortes as part of a poaching investigation.
The agency began the investigation after receiving multiple complaints from legitimate commercial fishers, said Fish and Wildlife Sgt. Russ Mullins after officials served a search warrant on the alleged poaching operation.
No charges have been filed in the case, which Mullins described as the biggest crab poaching bust in his 13 years with the department. The search warrant was served on an Anacortes home as well as a vessel and equipment locker at Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes.
State agents brought the seized vessel, the trucks and other items to their La Conner headquarters.
He did not release the name of the Anacortes-area suspect. Investigators believe the man conspired with local wholesalers to illegally catch and sell the crab after his commercial fishing license was revoked in January for failing to pay child support, Mullins said. Agents also confiscated some illegally caught shrimp.
At least three crab wholesalers in the Anacortes area were involved with selling the illegal catch, Mullins said.
